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Gerrits L, Bakker B, Hendriks LD, Engels S, Hammink R, Kouwer PHJ. Tailoring of Physical Properties in Macroporous Poly(isocyanopeptide) Cryogels. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:3464-3474. [PMID: 38743442 PMCID: PMC11170948 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Over the years, synthetic hydrogels have proven remarkably useful as cell culture matrixes to elucidate the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) on cell behavior. Yet, their lack of interconnected macropores undermines the widespread use of hydrogels in biomedical applications. To overcome this limitation, cryogels, a class of macroporous hydrogels, are rapidly emerging. Here, we introduce a new, highly elastic, and tunable synthetic cryogel, based on poly(isocyanopeptides) (PIC). Introduction of methacrylate groups on PIC facilitated cryopolymerization through free-radical polymerization and afforded cryogels with an interconnected macroporous structure. We investigated which cryogelation parameters can be used to tune the architectural and mechanical properties of the PIC cryogels by systematically altering cryopolymerization temperature, polymer concentration, and polymer molecular weight. We show that for decreasing cryopolymerization temperatures, there is a correlation between cryogel pore size and stiffness. More importantly, we demonstrate that by simply varying the polymer concentration, we can selectively tune the compressive strength of PIC cryogels without affecting their architecture. This unique feature is highly useful for biomedical applications, as it facilitates decoupling of stiffness from other variables such as pore size. As such, PIC cryogels provide an interesting new biomaterial for scientists to unravel the role of the ECM in cellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte Gerrits
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Chemical Immunology, 6525 GA Nijmegen ,Netherlands
| | - Bram Bakker
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Chemical Immunology, 6525 GA Nijmegen ,Netherlands
| | - Lynn D. Hendriks
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Chemical Immunology, 6525 GA Nijmegen ,Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd Engels
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Chemical Immunology, 6525 GA Nijmegen ,Netherlands
| | - Roel Hammink
- Department
of Medical BioSciences,Radboudumc, Geert Grooteplein 26, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Division
of Immunotherapy, Oncode Institute, Radboud
University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen ,Netherlands
| | - Paul H. J. Kouwer
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Chemical Immunology, 6525 GA Nijmegen ,Netherlands
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2
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Wang X, Li K, Yuan Y, Zhang N, Zou Z, Wang Y, Yan S, Li X, Zhao P, Li Q. Nonlinear Elasticity of Blood Vessels and Vascular Grafts. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:3631-3654. [PMID: 38815169 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The transplantation of vascular grafts has emerged as a prevailing approach to address vascular disorders. However, the development of small-diameter vascular grafts is still in progress, as they serve in a more complicated mechanical environment than their counterparts with larger diameters. The biocompatibility and functional characteristics of small-diameter vascular grafts have been well developed; however, mismatch in mechanical properties between the vascular grafts and native arteries has not been accomplished, which might facilitate the long-term patency of small-diameter vascular grafts. From a point of view in mechanics, mimicking the nonlinear elastic mechanical behavior exhibited by natural blood vessels might be the state-of-the-art in designing vascular grafts. This review centers on elucidating the nonlinear elastic behavior of natural blood vessels and vascular grafts. The biological functionality and limitations associated with as-reported vascular grafts are meticulously reviewed and the future trajectory for fabricating biomimetic small-diameter grafts is discussed. This review might provide a different insight from the traditional design and fabrication of artificial vascular grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Wang
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, National Center for International Research of Micro-nano Molding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- The State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Kecheng Li
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, National Center for International Research of Micro-nano Molding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, National Center for International Research of Micro-nano Molding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, National Center for International Research of Micro-nano Molding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zifan Zou
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, National Center for International Research of Micro-nano Molding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yun Wang
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, National Center for International Research of Micro-nano Molding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Shujie Yan
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, National Center for International Research of Micro-nano Molding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xiaomeng Li
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, National Center for International Research of Micro-nano Molding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Qian Li
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, National Center for International Research of Micro-nano Molding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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3
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Zhang Z, Chen W, Sun M, Aalders T, Verhaegh GW, Kouwer PHJ. TempEasy 3D Hydrogel Coculture System Provides Mechanistic Insights into Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:25773-25787. [PMID: 38739686 PMCID: PMC11129143 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c03453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Patients diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) often experience incurable bone metastases; however, a lack of relevant experimental models has hampered the study of disease mechanisms and the development of therapeutic strategies. In this study, we employed the recently established Temperature-based Easy-separable (TempEasy) 3D cell coculture system to investigate PCa bone metastasis. Through coculturing PCa and bone cells for 7 days, our results showed a reduction in PCa cell proliferation, an increase in neovascularization, and an enhanced metastasis potential when cocultured with bone cells. Additionally, we observed increased cell proliferation, higher stemness, and decreased bone matrix protein expression in bone cells when cocultured with PCa cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the stiffness of the extracellular matrix had a negligible impact on molecular responses in both primary (PCa cells) and distant malignant (bone cells) sites. The TempEasy 3D hydrogel coculture system is an easy-to-use and versatile coculture system that provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of cell-cell communication and interaction in cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaobao Zhang
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Wen Chen
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Mingchen Sun
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Tilly Aalders
- Department
of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, Nijmegen 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Gerald W. Verhaegh
- Department
of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, Nijmegen 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H. J. Kouwer
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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Ohnsorg ML, Mash KM, Khang A, Rao VV, Kirkpatrick BE, Bera K, Anseth KS. Nonlinear Elastic Bottlebrush Polymer Hydrogels Modulate Actomyosin Mediated Protrusion Formation in Mesenchymal Stromal Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2403198. [PMID: 38655776 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202403198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The nonlinear elasticity of many tissue-specific extracellular matrices is difficult to recapitulate without the use of fibrous architectures, which couple strain-stiffening with stress relaxation. Herein, bottlebrush polymers are synthesized and crosslinked to form poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels and used to study how strain-stiffening behavior affects human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs). By tailoring the bottlebrush polymer length, the critical stress associated with the onset of network stiffening is systematically varied, and a unique protrusion-rich hMSC morphology emerges only at critical stresses within a biologically accessible stress regime. Local cell-matrix interactions are quantified using 3D traction force microscopy and small molecule inhibitors are used to identify cellular machinery that plays a critical role in hMSC mechanosensing of the engineered, strain-stiffening microenvironment. Collectively, this study demonstrates how covalently crosslinked bottlebrush polymer hydrogels can recapitulate strain-stiffening biomechanical cues at biologically relevant stresses and be used to probe how nonlinear elastic matrix properties regulate cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica L Ohnsorg
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
| | - Kayla M Mash
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
| | - Alex Khang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
| | - Varsha V Rao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
| | - Bruce E Kirkpatrick
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kaustav Bera
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
| | - Kristi S Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80308, USA
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5
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van Velthoven MJJ, Gudde AN, van der Kruit M, van Loon MPC, Rasing L, Wagener FADTG, Roovers JP, Guler Z, Kouwer PHJ. An Improved Understanding of the Pathophysiology of Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A 3D In Vitro Model under Static and Mechanical Loading Conditions. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302905. [PMID: 38219051 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The suboptimal outcomes of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery illustrate the demand for improved therapies. However, their development is hampered by the limited knowledge on the cellular pathophysiology of POP. Current investigations, that are limited to tissues and 2D in vitro models, provide highly inconclusive results on how the extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism and fibroblasts are affected in POP. This study uses a physiologically relevant 3D in vitro model to investigate the cellular pathophysiology of POP by determining the differences between POP and non-POP fibroblasts on ECM metabolism, proliferation, and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast (FMT) transition. This model, based on the synthetic and biomimetic polyisocyanide hydrogel, enables the incorporation of mechanical loading, which simulates the forces exerted on the pelvic floor. Under static conditions, 3D cultured POP fibroblasts are less proliferative, undergo FMT, and exhibit lower collagen and elastin contents compared to non-POP fibroblasts. However, under mechanical loading, the differences between POP and non-POP fibroblasts are less pronounced. This study contributes to the development of more comprehensive models that can accurately mimic the POP pathophysiology, which will aid in an enhanced understanding and may contribute to improved therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J J van Velthoven
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Aksel N Gudde
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Marit van der Kruit
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Malou P C van Loon
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Lissy Rasing
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Frank A D T G Wagener
- Department of Dentistry-Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Philips van Leydenlaan 25, Nijmegen, 6525 EX, The Netherlands
| | - Jan-Paul Roovers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Zeliha Guler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H J Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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6
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Cao Z, Wang X, Jiang C, Wang H, Mu Y, Sun X, Chen X, Feng C. Thermo-sensitive hydroxybutyl chitosan/diatom biosilica hydrogel with immune microenvironment regulatory for chronic wound healing. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 262:130189. [PMID: 38360227 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
This study proposes a chronic wound therapeutic strategy based on extracellular matrix (ECM) biomimetics and immune regulation. The hydroxybutyl chitosan/diatom biosilica hydrogel (H/D) which can regulate the immune microenvironment, is prepared from hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC) as matrix to construct the bionic ECM and diatom biosilica (DB) as structural active unit. The hierarchical porous structure of DB provides strong anchoring interface effect to enhance the mechanical strength of hydrogel, while maintaining its favorable temperature phase transition behavior, improving the material's fit to the wound and convenience of clinical use. Silicates released from DB in H/D accelerate the transition of wounds from inflammation to proliferation and remodeling. In cellular and diabetic rat models, H/D reduces inflammation (induces conversion of M1-type macrophages to M2-type), induces angiogenesis (1.96-fold of control), promotes fibroblast proliferation (180.36 % of control), collagen deposition, keratinocyte migration (47.34 % more than control), and re-epithelialization. This study validates a possible biological mechanism for H/D bioactive hydrogel-mediated regulation of the immune microenvironment and provides a simple synergistic dressing strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Cao
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, 5# Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiaoye Wang
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, 5# Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Changqing Jiang
- Qingdao Municipal Hospital, 5# Donghai Middle Road, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Haonan Wang
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, 5# Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yuzhi Mu
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, 5# Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiaojie Sun
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, 5# Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiguang Chen
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, 5# Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China; Sanya Oceanographic Institute, Ocean University of China, Yonyou Industrial Park, Yazhou Bay Science & Technology City, Sanya 572024, Hainan Province, China; Laoshan Laboratory, 1# Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chao Feng
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, 5# Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China; Sanya Oceanographic Institute, Ocean University of China, Yonyou Industrial Park, Yazhou Bay Science & Technology City, Sanya 572024, Hainan Province, China.
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7
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Zieger V, Woehr E, Zimmermann S, Frejek D, Koltay P, Zengerle R, Kartmann S. Automated Nanodroplet Dispensing for Large-Scale Spheroid Generation via Hanging Drop and Parallelized Lossless Spheroid Harvesting. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:231. [PMID: 38398960 PMCID: PMC10893090 DOI: 10.3390/mi15020231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Creating model systems that replicate in vivo tissues is crucial for understanding complex biological pathways like drug response and disease progression. Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models, especially multicellular spheroids (MCSs), offer valuable insights into physiological processes. However, generating MCSs at scale with consistent properties and efficiently recovering them pose challenges. We introduce a workflow that automates large-scale spheroid production and enables parallel harvesting into individual wells of a microtiter plate. Our method, based on the hanging-drop technique, utilizes a non-contact dispenser for dispensing nanoliter droplets of a uniformly mixed-cell suspension. The setup allows for extended processing times of up to 45 min without compromising spheroid quality. As a proof of concept, we achieved a 99.3% spheroid generation efficiency and maintained highly consistent spheroid sizes, with a coefficient of variance below 8% for MCF7 spheroids. Our centrifugation-based drop transfer for spheroid harvesting achieved a sample recovery of 100%. We successfully transferred HT29 spheroids from hanging drops to individual wells preloaded with collagen matrices, where they continued to proliferate. This high-throughput workflow opens new possibilities for prolonged spheroid cultivation, advanced downstream assays, and increased hands-off time in complex 3D cell culture protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Zieger
- Laboratory for MEMS Applications, IMTEK-Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany; (S.Z.); (P.K.); (R.Z.); (S.K.)
| | - Ellen Woehr
- Hahn-Schickard, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany; (E.W.); (D.F.)
- Study Program Molecular and Technical Medicine, Faculty Medical and Life Science, University of Furtwangen, D-78054 Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
| | - Stefan Zimmermann
- Laboratory for MEMS Applications, IMTEK-Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany; (S.Z.); (P.K.); (R.Z.); (S.K.)
| | - Daniel Frejek
- Hahn-Schickard, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany; (E.W.); (D.F.)
| | - Peter Koltay
- Laboratory for MEMS Applications, IMTEK-Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany; (S.Z.); (P.K.); (R.Z.); (S.K.)
| | - Roland Zengerle
- Laboratory for MEMS Applications, IMTEK-Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany; (S.Z.); (P.K.); (R.Z.); (S.K.)
- Hahn-Schickard, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany; (E.W.); (D.F.)
| | - Sabrina Kartmann
- Laboratory for MEMS Applications, IMTEK-Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany; (S.Z.); (P.K.); (R.Z.); (S.K.)
- Hahn-Schickard, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany; (E.W.); (D.F.)
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8
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Kumari J, Hammink R, Baaij J, Wagener FADTG, Kouwer PHJ. Antifibrotic properties of hyaluronic acid crosslinked polyisocyanide hydrogels. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 156:213705. [PMID: 38006784 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is characterized by the formation of fibrous connective tissue in response to primary injury. As a result, an affected organ may lose part of its functionality due to chronic, organ-specific tissue damage. Since fibrosis is a leading cause of death worldwide, targeting fibrotic diseases with antifibrotic hydrogels can be a lifesaving therapeutic strategy. This study developed a novel hybrid antifibrotic hydrogel by combining the synthetic polyisocyanide (PIC) with hyaluronic acid (HA). Gels of PIC are highly tailorable, thermosensitive, and strongly biomimetic in architecture and mechanical properties, whereas HA is known to promote non-fibrotic fetal wound healing and inhibits inflammatory signaling. The developed HA-PIC hybrids were biocompatible with physical properties comparable to those of the PIC gels. The antifibrotic nature of the gels was assessed by 3D cultures of human foreskin fibroblasts in the presence (or absence as control) of TGFβ1 that promotes differentiation into myofibroblasts, a critical step in fibrosis. Proliferation and macroscopic contraction assays and studies on the formation of stress fibers and characteristic fibrosis markers all indicate a strong antifibrotic nature of HA-PIC hydrogel. We showed that these effects originate from both the lightly crosslinked architecture and the presence of HA itself. The hybrid displaying both these effects shows the strongest antifibrotic nature and is a promising candidate for use as in vivo treatment for skin fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Kumari
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Dentistry - Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 EX Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Roel Hammink
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Division of Immunotherapy, Oncode Institute, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jochem Baaij
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Frank A D T G Wagener
- Department of Dentistry - Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 EX Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Paul H J Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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9
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Bhattacharya A, Alam K, Roy NS, Kaur K, Kaity S, Ravichandiran V, Roy S. Exploring the interaction between extracellular matrix components in a 3D organoid disease model to replicate the pathophysiology of breast cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:343. [PMID: 38102637 PMCID: PMC10724947 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02926-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro models are necessary to study the pathophysiology of the disease and the development of effective, tailored treatment methods owing to the complexity and heterogeneity of breast cancer and the large population affected by it. The cellular connections and tumor microenvironments observed in vivo are often not recapitulated in conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures. Therefore, developing 3D in vitro models that mimic the complex architecture and physiological circumstances of breast tumors is crucial for advancing our understanding of the illness. A 3D scaffold-free in vitro disease model mimics breast cancer pathophysiology by allowing cells to self-assemble/pattern into 3D structures, in contrast with other 3D models that rely on artificial scaffolds. It is possible that this model, whether applied to breast tumors using patient-derived primary cells (fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and cancer cells), can accurately replicate the observed heterogeneity. The complicated interactions between different cell types are modelled by integrating critical components of the tumor microenvironment, such as the extracellular matrix, vascular endothelial cells, and tumor growth factors. Tissue interactions, immune cell infiltration, and the effects of the milieu on drug resistance can be studied using this scaffold-free 3D model. The scaffold-free 3D in vitro disease model for mimicking tumor pathophysiology in breast cancer is a useful tool for studying the molecular basis of the disease, identifying new therapeutic targets, and evaluating treatment modalities. It provides a more physiologically appropriate high-throughput platform for screening large compound library in a 96-384 well format. We critically discussed the rapid development of personalized treatment strategies and accelerated drug screening platforms to close the gap between traditional 2D cell culture and in vivo investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamitra Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700054, India
| | - Kamare Alam
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700054, India
| | - Nakka Sharmila Roy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700054, India
| | - Kulwinder Kaur
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine a Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
- Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy & Regenerative Medicine, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Santanu Kaity
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700054, India
| | - Velayutham Ravichandiran
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700054, India
| | - Subhadeep Roy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700054, India.
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10
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Gudde AN, van Velthoven MJJ, Kouwer PHJ, Roovers JPWR, Guler Z. Injectable polyisocyanide hydrogel as healing supplement for connective tissue regeneration in an abdominal wound model. Biomaterials 2023; 302:122337. [PMID: 37793268 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
In pelvic organ prolapse (POP) patients, the uterus, bladder and/or rectum descends into vagina due to weakened support tissues. High recurrence rates after POP surgery suggest an urgent need for improved surgical outcomes. Our aim is to promote connective tissue healing that results in stimulated tissue support functions by surgically applying a hydrogel functionalized with biological cues. We used known vaginal wound healing promoting factors (basic fibroblast growth factor, β-estradiol, adipose-derived stem cells) in the biomimetic and injectable polyisocyanide (PIC) hydrogel, which in itself induces regenerative vaginal fibroblast behavior. The regenerative capacity of injected PIC hydrogel, and the additional pro-regenerative effects of these bioactive factors was evaluated in abdominal wounds in rabbits. Assessment of connective tissue healing (tensile testing, histology, immunohistochemistry) revealed that injection with all PIC formulations resulted in a statistically significant stiffness and collagen increase over time, in contrast to sham. Histological evaluation indicated new tissue growth with moderate to mild immune activity at the hydrogel - tissue interface. The results suggest that PIC injection in an abdominal wound improves healing towards regaining load-bearing capacity, which encourages us to investigate application of the hydrogel in a more translational vaginal model for POP surgery in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aksel N Gudde
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center-location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center-location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Melissa J J van Velthoven
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Paul H J Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan-Paul W R Roovers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center-location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center-location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Zeliha Guler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center-location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center-location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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11
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van Velthoven MJJ, Gudde AN, Arendsen E, Roovers JP, Guler Z, Oosterwijk E, Kouwer PHJ. Growth Factor Immobilization to Synthetic Hydrogels: Bioactive bFGF-Functionalized Polyisocyanide Hydrogels. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2301109. [PMID: 37526214 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
With its involvement in cell proliferation, migration and differentiation basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has great potential for tissue engineering purposes. So far, however, clinical translation of soluble bFGF-based therapies is unsuccessful, because the required effective doses are often supraphysiological, which may cause adverse effects. An effective solution is growth factor immobilization, whereby bFGF retains its bioactivity at increased efficacy. Studied carriers include films, solid scaffolds, and particles, as well as natural and synthetic hydrogels. However, these synthetic hydrogels poorly resemble the characteristics of the native extracellular matrix (ECM). In this work, bFGF is covalently conjugated to the synthetic, but highly biocompatible, polyisocyanide-based hydrogel (PIC-bFGF), which closely mimics the architecture and mechanical properties of the ECM. The growth factor conjugation protocol is straightforward and readily extrapolated to other growth factors or proteins. The PIC-bFGF hydrogel shows a prolonged bioactivity up to 4 weeks although no clear effects on the ECM metabolism are observed. Beyond the future potential of the PIC-bFGF hydrogel toward various tissue engineering applications, this work underlines that simple biological conjugation procedures are a powerful strategy to induce additional bioactivity in 3D synthetic cell culture matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J J van Velthoven
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Aksel N Gudde
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Evert Arendsen
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Jan-Paul Roovers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Zeliha Guler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Egbert Oosterwijk
- Department of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H J Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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12
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Gudde A, van Velthoven MJJ, Türkel B, Kouwer PHJ, Roovers JPWR, Guler Z. Vaginal Fibroblast Behavior as a Function of Stiffness Changes in a Polyisocyanide Hydrogel for Prolapse Repair. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:3759-3767. [PMID: 37589427 PMCID: PMC10521013 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need for improved outcomes in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Success of primary surgery relies on the load bearing capacity of plicated connective tissue underneath the vaginal wall, which is compromised due to an altered vaginal fibroblast function and collagen composition. There is an important factor in connective tissue repair that relates to changes in stiffness of the vaginal fibroblast microenvironment, which influences cell activity through cellular mechanosensing. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of stiffness changes on vaginal fibroblast functions that relate to connective tissue healing in prolapse repair. The substrate stiffness was controlled by changing the polymer concentration in the fibrous and strongly biomimetic polyisocyanide (PIC) hydrogel. We analyzed stiffness during cell culture and assessed the consequential fibroblast proliferation, morphology, collagen deposition, and contraction. Our results show that increasing stiffness coincides with vaginal fibroblast alignment, promotes collagen deposition, and inhibits PIC gel contraction. These findings suggest that the matrix stiffness directly influences vaginal fibroblast functionality. Moreover, we observed a buildup in stiffness and collagen, with an enhanced fibroblast and collagen organization on the PIC-substrate, which indicate an enhanced structural integrity of the hydrogel-cell construct. An improved tissue structure during healing is relevant in the functional repair of POP. Therefore, this study encourages future research in the use of PIC gels as a supplement in prolapse surgery, whereby the hydrogel stiffness should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aksel
N. Gudde
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam
University Medical Center−location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Reproductive
Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center−location
AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Melissa J. J. van Velthoven
- Department
of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular
Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Betül Türkel
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam
University Medical Center−location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Reproductive
Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center−location
AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H. J. Kouwer
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan-Paul W. R. Roovers
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam
University Medical Center−location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Reproductive
Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center−location
AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Zeliha Guler
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam
University Medical Center−location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Reproductive
Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center−location
AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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13
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Baghersad S, Sathish Kumar A, Kipper MJ, Popat K, Wang Z. Recent Advances in Tissue-Engineered Cardiac Scaffolds-The Progress and Gap in Mimicking Native Myocardium Mechanical Behaviors. J Funct Biomater 2023; 14:jfb14050269. [PMID: 37233379 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14050269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart failure is the leading cause of death in the US and worldwide. Despite modern therapy, challenges remain to rescue the damaged organ that contains cells with a very low proliferation rate after birth. Developments in tissue engineering and regeneration offer new tools to investigate the pathology of cardiac diseases and develop therapeutic strategies for heart failure patients. Tissue -engineered cardiac scaffolds should be designed to provide structural, biochemical, mechanical, and/or electrical properties similar to native myocardium tissues. This review primarily focuses on the mechanical behaviors of cardiac scaffolds and their significance in cardiac research. Specifically, we summarize the recent development of synthetic (including hydrogel) scaffolds that have achieved various types of mechanical behavior-nonlinear elasticity, anisotropy, and viscoelasticity-all of which are characteristic of the myocardium and heart valves. For each type of mechanical behavior, we review the current fabrication methods to enable the biomimetic mechanical behavior, the advantages and limitations of the existing scaffolds, and how the mechanical environment affects biological responses and/or treatment outcomes for cardiac diseases. Lastly, we discuss the remaining challenges in this field and suggestions for future directions to improve our understanding of mechanical control over cardiac function and inspire better regenerative therapies for myocardial restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Baghersad
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Abinaya Sathish Kumar
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Matt J Kipper
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Ketul Popat
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Zhijie Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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14
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Ollier RC, Xiang Y, Yacovelli AM, Webber MJ. Biomimetic strain-stiffening in fully synthetic dynamic-covalent hydrogel networks. Chem Sci 2023; 14:4796-4805. [PMID: 37181784 PMCID: PMC10171040 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc00011g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanoresponsiveness is a ubiquitous feature of soft materials in nature; biological tissues exhibit both strain-stiffening and self-healing in order to prevent and repair deformation-induced damage. These features remain challenging to replicate in synthetic and flexible polymeric materials. In recreating both the mechanical and structural features of soft biological tissues, hydrogels have been often explored for a number of biological and biomedical applications. However, synthetic polymeric hydrogels rarely replicate the mechanoresponsive character of natural biological materials, failing to match both strain-stiffening and self-healing functionality. Here, strain-stiffening behavior is realized in fully synthetic ideal network hydrogels prepared from flexible 4-arm polyethylene glycol macromers via dynamic-covalent boronate ester crosslinks. Shear rheology reveals the strain-stiffening response in these networks as a function of polymer concentration, pH, and temperature. Across all three of these variables, hydrogels of lower stiffness exhibit higher degrees of stiffening, as quantified by the stiffening index. The reversibility and self-healing nature of this strain-stiffening response is also evident upon strain-cycling. The mechanism underlying this unusual stiffening response is attributed to a combination of entropic and enthalpic elasticity in these crosslink-dominant networks, contrasting with natural biopolymers that primarily strain-stiffen due to a strain-induced reduction in conformational entropy of entangled fibrillar structures. This work thus offers key insights into crosslink-driven strain-stiffening in dynamic-covalent phenylboronic acid-diol hydrogels as a function of experimental and environmental parameters. Moreover, the biomimetic mechano- and chemoresponsive nature of this simple ideal-network hydrogel offers a promising platform for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Ollier
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IN 46556 USA
| | - Yuanhui Xiang
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IN 46556 USA
| | - Adriana M Yacovelli
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IN 46556 USA
| | - Matthew J Webber
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IN 46556 USA
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15
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Xie W, Wei X, Kang H, Jiang H, Chu Z, Lin Y, Hou Y, Wei Q. Static and Dynamic: Evolving Biomaterial Mechanical Properties to Control Cellular Mechanotransduction. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2204594. [PMID: 36658771 PMCID: PMC10037983 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a highly dynamic system that constantly offers physical, biological, and chemical signals to embraced cells. Increasing evidence suggests that mechanical signals derived from the dynamic cellular microenvironment are essential controllers of cell behaviors. Conventional cell culture biomaterials, with static mechanical properties such as chemistry, topography, and stiffness, have offered a fundamental understanding of various vital biochemical and biophysical processes, such as cell adhesion, spreading, migration, growth, and differentiation. At present, novel biomaterials that can spatiotemporally impart biophysical cues to manipulate cell fate are emerging. The dynamic properties and adaptive traits of new materials endow them with the ability to adapt to cell requirements and enhance cell functions. In this review, an introductory overview of the key players essential to mechanobiology is provided. A biophysical perspective on the state-of-the-art manipulation techniques and novel materials in designing static and dynamic ECM-mimicking biomaterials is taken. In particular, different static and dynamic mechanical cues in regulating cellular mechanosensing and functions are compared. This review to benefit the development of engineering biomechanical systems regulating cell functions is expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Xie
- Department of BiotherapyState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610065China
| | - Xi Wei
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Heemin Kang
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringKorea UniversitySeoul02841South Korea
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of BiotherapyState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610065China
| | - Zhiqin Chu
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Joint Appointment with School of Biomedical Sciences)The University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Yuan Lin
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Yong Hou
- Department of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Institut für Chemie und BiochemieFreie Universität BerlinTakustrasse 314195BerlinGermany
| | - Qiang Wei
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringState Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
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16
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Ma C, Duan X, Lei X. 3D cell culture model: From ground experiment to microgravity study. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1136583. [PMID: 37034251 PMCID: PMC10080128 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1136583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Microgravity has been shown to induce many changes in cell growth and differentiation due to offloading the gravitational strain normally exerted on cells. Although many studies have used two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems to investigate the effects of microgravity on cell growth, three-dimensional (3D) culture scaffolds can offer more direct indications of the modified cell response to microgravity-related dysregulations compared to 2D culture methods. Thus, knowledge of 3D cell culture is essential for better understanding the in vivo tissue function and physiological response under microgravity conditions. This review discusses the advances in 2D and 3D cell culture studies, particularly emphasizing the role of hydrogels, which can provide cells with a mimic in vivo environment to collect a more natural response. We also summarized recent studies about cell growth and differentiation under real microgravity or simulated microgravity conditions using ground-based equipment. Finally, we anticipate that hydrogel-based 3D culture models will play an essential role in constructing organoids, discovering the causes of microgravity-dependent molecular and cellular changes, improving space tissue regeneration, and developing innovative therapeutic strategies. Future research into the 3D culture in microgravity conditions could lead to valuable therapeutic applications in health and pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiyuan Ma
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xianglong Duan
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
- Second Department of General Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Xianglong Duan, ; Xiaohua Lei,
| | - Xiaohua Lei
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Xianglong Duan, ; Xiaohua Lei,
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17
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Lei K, Chen M, Wang X, Gao J, Zhang J, Li G, Bao J, Li Z, Li J. Highly stretchable, self-healing elastomer hydrogel with universal adhesion driven by reversible cross-links and protein enhancement. J Mater Chem B 2022; 10:9188-9201. [PMID: 36314575 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb02015g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Engineered hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties and multi-functionality have great potential as soft electronic skins, tissue substitutes and flexible robotic joints. However, it has been a challenge to construct multifunctional hydrogels, especially when integrating high stretchability, toughness and strength, low hysteresis, good self-healing and adhesion abilities into a hydrogel system simultaneously. Here, we successfully developed a structural hydrogel composed of a reversible covalently cross-link-based poly-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)acrylamide (PHEMAA) network and available plastically deformable casein micelles. Such a design enabled the reversible covalent cross-links and casein micelles to enhance energy dissipation and toughen the PHEMAA/casein hybrid hydrogel synergistically. More importantly, the hydrogel could respond to the imposed strains reversibly by cross-link and micelle deformation induced-network reconstitution, which led to low hysteresis of the hydrogels. The recoverable gel networks still exhibited their effects on energy dissipation at the stress-focused area, endowing the hydrogels with fatigue resistance. As a result, the hydrogels exhibited a compressive strength of 36.5 MPa, high stretchability (1460%), high toughness (∼5.98 MJ m-3), low hysteresis (<30%) and fatigue resistance with almost completely overlapped hysteresis curves during 10 loading cycles. In addition, the introduction of casein micelles and reversible covalent bonding endowed the elastomer hydrogels with high adhesivity, self-healing abilities and biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Lei
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, 263 Kaiyuan Road, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, China.
| | - Meijun Chen
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, 263 Kaiyuan Road, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, China.
| | - Xinling Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jingpi Gao
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, 263 Kaiyuan Road, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, China.
| | - Jianbo Zhang
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, 263 Kaiyuan Road, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, China.
| | - Guangda Li
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, 263 Kaiyuan Road, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, China.
| | - Jianfeng Bao
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, 263 Kaiyuan Road, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, China.
| | - Zhao Li
- Institute of Engineering Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jinghua Li
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, 263 Kaiyuan Road, Luolong District, Luoyang 471023, China.
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18
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Di Stefano AB, Urrata V, Trapani M, Moschella F, Cordova A, Toia F. Systematic review on spheroids from adipose‐derived stem cells: Spontaneous or artefact state? J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:4397-4411. [PMID: 36209478 PMCID: PMC10091738 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures represent the spontaneous state of stem cells with specific gene and protein molecular expression that are more alike the in vivo condition. In vitro two-dimensional (2D) cell adhesion cultures are still commonly employed for various cellular studies such as movement, proliferation and differentiation phenomena; this procedure is standardized and amply used in laboratories, however their representing the original tissue has recently been subject to questioning. Cell cultures in 2D require a support/substrate (flasks, multiwells, etc.) and use of fetal bovine serum as an adjuvant that stimulates adhesion that most likely leads to cellular aging. A 3D environment stimulates cells to grow in suspended aggregates that are defined as "spheroids." In particular, adipose stem cells (ASCs) are traditionally observed in adhesion conditions, but a recent and vast literature offers many strategies that obtain 3D cell spheroids. These cells seem to possess a greater ability in maintaining their stemness and differentiate towards all mesenchymal lineages, as demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo studies compared to adhesion cultures. To date, standardized procedures that form ASC spheroids have not yet been established. This systematic review carries out an in-depth analysis of the 76 articles produced over the past 10 years and discusses the similarities and differences in materials, techniques, and purposes to standardize the methods aimed at obtaining ASC spheroids as already described for 2D cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Barbara Di Stefano
- BIOPLAST‐Laboratory of BIOlogy and Regenerative Medicine‐PLASTic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences University of Palermo Palermo Italy
| | - Valentina Urrata
- BIOPLAST‐Laboratory of BIOlogy and Regenerative Medicine‐PLASTic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences University of Palermo Palermo Italy
| | - Marco Trapani
- BIOPLAST‐Laboratory of BIOlogy and Regenerative Medicine‐PLASTic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences University of Palermo Palermo Italy
| | - Francesco Moschella
- BIOPLAST‐Laboratory of BIOlogy and Regenerative Medicine‐PLASTic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences University of Palermo Palermo Italy
| | - Adriana Cordova
- BIOPLAST‐Laboratory of BIOlogy and Regenerative Medicine‐PLASTic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences University of Palermo Palermo Italy
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Unit of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery University of Palermo Palermo Italy
- Department of D.A.I. Chirurgico, Plastic and Reconstructive Unit Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone” Palermo Italy
| | - Francesca Toia
- BIOPLAST‐Laboratory of BIOlogy and Regenerative Medicine‐PLASTic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences University of Palermo Palermo Italy
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Unit of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery University of Palermo Palermo Italy
- Department of D.A.I. Chirurgico, Plastic and Reconstructive Unit Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone” Palermo Italy
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19
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Ingavle G, Das M. Bench to Bedside: New Therapeutic Approaches with Extracellular Vesicles and Engineered Biomaterials for Targeting Therapeutic Resistance of Cancer Stem Cells. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:4673-4696. [PMID: 36194142 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cancer has recently been the second leading cause of death worldwide, trailing only cardiovascular disease. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), represented as tumor-initiating cells (TICs), are mainly liable for chemoresistance and disease relapse due to their self-renewal capability and differentiating capacity into different types of tumor cells. The intricate molecular mechanism is necessary to elucidate CSC's chemoresistance properties and cancer recurrence. Establishing efficient strategies for CSC maintenance and enrichment is essential to elucidate the mechanisms and properties of CSCs and CSC-related therapeutic measures. Current approaches are insufficient to mimic the in vivo chemical and physical conditions for the maintenance and growth of CSC and yield unreliable research results. Biomaterials are now widely used for simulating the bone marrow microenvironment. Biomaterial-based three-dimensional (3D) approaches for the enrichment of CSC provide an excellent promise for future drug discovery and elucidation of molecular mechanisms. In the future, the biomaterial-based model will contribute to a more operative and predictive CSC model for cancer therapy. Design strategies for materials, physicochemical cues, and morphology will offer a new direction for future modification and new methods for studying the CSC microenvironment and its chemoresistance property. This review highlights the critical roles of the microenvironmental cues that regulate CSC function and endow them with drug resistance properties. This review also explores the latest advancement and challenges in biomaterial-based scaffold structure for therapeutic approaches against CSC chemoresistance. Since the recent entry of extracellular vesicles (EVs), cell-derived nanostructures, have opened new avenues of investigation into this field, which, together with other more conventionally studied signaling pathways, play an important role in cell-to-cell communication. Thus, this review further explores the subject of EVs in-depth. This review also discusses possible future biomaterial and biomaterial-EV-based models that could be used to study the tumor microenvironment (TME) and will provide possible therapeutic approaches. Finally, this review concludes with potential perspectives and conclusions in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Ingavle
- Symbiosis Centre for Stem Cell Research (SCSCR) and Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences (SSBS), SIU, Lavale, Pune 412115, India
| | - Madhurima Das
- Symbiosis Centre for Stem Cell Research (SCSCR) and Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences (SSBS), SIU, Lavale, Pune 412115, India
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20
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Gudde AN, van Velthoven MJJ, Roovers JPWR, Kouwer PHJ, Guler Z. Polyisocyanides as a substrate to trigger vaginal fibroblast functioning in an in vitro model for prolapse repair. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 141:213104. [PMID: 36116187 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the descent of the bladder, uterus, and/or rectum into the vagina. POP is associated with altered vaginal fibroblast functionality and connective tissue composition in the vaginal wall. The results of surgical intervention are poor, which may be related to the lack of true restoration of the connective tissue. An innovative treatment addresses tissue repair after surgery by the introduction of a bioactive supplement that enhances the healing process through collagen and elastin deposition. As a novel strategy, we first studied the effects in an in vitro model. Here, we investigate how the presence of cell binding GRGDS (RGD) peptides on the highly biomimetic polyisocyanide (PIC) gel facilitates and promotes the function of primary vaginal fibroblasts isolated from a POP patient. Fibroblast function was analyzed in terms of morphology, proliferation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and remodeling. RGD modification of the gel facilitated cell spread and proliferation. Quantitative outcomes of the ECM content indicated increased production of collagen and elastin by fibroblasts on gels with the highest RGD density. The in vitro results suggest that PIC-RGD hydrogel application may translate into improved connective tissue healing in the pelvic floor, which is essential for its use as a regeneration promoting additive in surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aksel N Gudde
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center-location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center-location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Melissa J J van Velthoven
- Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525, AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan-Paul W R Roovers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center-location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center-location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Paul H J Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525, AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Zeliha Guler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center-location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center-location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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21
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Synthetic Extracellular Matrices for 3D Culture of Schwann Cells, Hepatocytes, and HUVECs. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:bioengineering9090453. [PMID: 36134999 PMCID: PMC9495567 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9090453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic hydrogels from polyisocyanides (PIC) are a type of novel thermoreversible biomaterials, which can covalently bind biomolecules such as adhesion peptides to provide a suitable extracellular matrix (ECM)-like microenvironment for different cells. Although we have demonstrated that PIC is suitable for three-dimensional (3D) culture of several cell types, it is unknown whether this hydrogel sustains the proliferation and passaging of cells originating from different germ layers. In the present study, we propose a 3D culture system for three representative cell sources: Schwann cells (ectoderm), hepatocytes (endoderm), and endothelial cells (mesoderm). Both Schwann cells and hepatocytes proliferated into multicellular spheroids and maintained their properties, regardless of the amount of cell-adhesive RGD motifs in long-term culture. Notably, Schwann cells grew into larger spheroids in RGD-free PIC than in PIC-RGD, while HL-7702 showed the opposite behavior. Endothelial cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells, HUVECs) spread and formed an endothelial cell (EC) network only in PIC-RGD. Moreover, in a hepatocyte/HUVEC co-culture system, the characteristics of both cells were well kept for a long period in PIC-RGD. In all, our work highlights a simple ECM mimic that supports the growth and phenotype maintenance of cells from all germ layers in the long term. Our findings might contribute to research on biological development, organoid engineering, and in vitro drug screening.
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22
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Chen W, Kumari J, Yuan H, Yang F, Kouwer PHJ. Toward Tissue-Like Material Properties: Inducing In Situ Adaptive Behavior in Fibrous Hydrogels. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2202057. [PMID: 35792703 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202202057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The materials properties of biological tissues are unique. Nature is able to spatially and temporally manipulate (mechanical) properties while maintaining responsiveness toward a variety of cues; all without majorly changing the material's composition. Artificial mimics, synthetic or biomaterial-based are far less advanced and poorly reproduce the natural cell microenvironment. A viable strategy to generate materials with advanced properties combines different materials into nanocomposites. This work describes nanocomposites of a synthetic fibrous hydrogel, based on polyisocyanide (PIC), that is noncovalently linked to a responsive cross-linker. The introduction of the cross-linker transforms the PIC gel from a static fibrous extracellular matrix mimic to a highly dynamic material that maintains biocompatibility, as demonstrated by in situ modification of the (non)linear mechanical properties and efficient self-healing properties. Key in the material design is cross-linking at the fibrillar level using nanoparticles, which, simultaneously may be used to introduce more advanced properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Chen
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Jyoti Kumari
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Hongbo Yuan
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Heverlee, 3001, Belgium
- Institute of Biophysics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, P. R. China
| | - Fan Yang
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H J Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ 6525, The Netherlands
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23
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Chen W, Zhang Z, Kouwer PHJ. Magnetically Driven Hierarchical Alignment in Biomimetic Fibrous Hydrogels. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2203033. [PMID: 35665598 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202203033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In vivo, natural biomaterials are frequently anisotropic, exhibiting directional microstructures and mechanical properties. It remains challenging to develop such anisotropy in synthetic materials. Here, a facile one-step approach for in situ fabrication of hydrogels with hierarchically anisotropic architectures and direction-dependent mechanical properties is proposed. The anisotropic hydrogels, composed of a fibrous gel network (0.1 wt%), cross-linked with magnetic nanoparticles (spheres, rods, and wires, <0.1 wt%) are readily formed in the presence of very low magnetic fields (<20 mT). The anisotropy of the nanoparticles is transduced to the polymer network, leading to macroscopic anisotropy, for instance, in mechanical properties. Electrostatic repulsion by the negatively charged nanoparticles induces an additional layer of order in the material, perpendicular to the magnetic field direction. The straightforward fabrication strategy allows for stepwise deposition of layers with different degrees or directions of anisotropy, which enables the formation of complex structures that are able to mimic some of the complex hierarchical architectures found in biology. It is anticipated that this approach of hydrogel alignment may serve as a guide for designing advanced biomaterials in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Chen
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Zhaobao Zhang
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H J Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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24
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Liu Z, Fu J, Yuan H, Ma B, Cao Z, Chen Y, Xing C, Niu X, Li N, Wang H, An H. Polyisocyanide hydrogels with tunable nonlinear elasticity mediate liver carcinoma cell functional response. Acta Biomater 2022; 148:152-162. [PMID: 35718101 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma development is closely related to the changes in tissue mechanics induced by excess collagen deposition and crosslinking, which leads to liver fibrosis and malignant progression. The role of matrix stiffness has been widely assessed using various linearly elastic materials. However, the liver, like many soft tissues, also exhibits nonlinear elasticity by strain-stiffening, allowing cells to mechanically interact with their micromilieus which has attracted much attention in cellular processes recently. Here, we use a biomimetic hydrogel grafting of GRGDS peptide with tunable nonlinear mechanical properties, polyisocyanides (PIC), to investigate the influence of strain-stiffening on HepG2 liver cancer cell behavior by tuning PIC polymer length. Compared to short PIC polymer with lower critical stress, PIC hydrogels composed of long polymer with higher critical stress promote the motility and invasiveness of HepG2 cells, and induce more actin stress fibers and higher expression level of mechanotransducer YAP and its nuclear translocation. Strikingly, the expression of calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1, an important biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma, is also affected by the mechanical property of PIC hydrogels. It was also shown that downregulating the KCa3.1 channel can be achieved by inhibiting the formation of actin fibers. Our findings imply that the strain-stiffening property of PIC hydrogels affects the expression of KCa3.1 potassium channel via mediating cytoskeletal stress fiber formation, and ultimately influences the liver carcinoma cell functional response. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The effect of nonlinear elasticity by strain-stiffening, is assessed in HepG2 liver cancer cell behavior by using a biomimetic hydrogel with tunable mechanical properties, polyisocyanides (PIC). PIC gels with higher critical stress promote the motility and invasiveness of HepG2 cells and induce upregulated expression levels of KCa3.1 potassium channel and YAP, but which can be suppressed by inhibiting the formation of actin fibers. Our findings imply that the strain-stiffening property of PIC gels influences the expression of KCa3.1 potassium channel via mediating cytoskeletal stress fiber formation and, ultimately affects the liver carcinoma cell functional response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Jingxuan Fu
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China; College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China; School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, GuangRong Dao 8, Hongqiao District, Tianjin 300130, PR China
| | - Hongbo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China; Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Biao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Zhanshuo Cao
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Yafei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Chengfen Xing
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Xuezhi Niu
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China; College of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China.
| | - Hailong An
- Key Laboratory of Hebei Province for Molecular Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, School of Science, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China.
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25
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Kumari J, Wagener FADTG, Kouwer PHJ. Novel Synthetic Polymer-Based 3D Contraction Assay: A Versatile Preclinical Research Platform for Fibrosis. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:19212-19225. [PMID: 35468292 PMCID: PMC9073832 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c02549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The driving factors causing fibrosis and scar formation include fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts and hampered myofibroblast apoptosis, which ultimately results in collagen accumulation and tissue contraction. Currently, only very few drugs are available for fibrosis treatment, and there is an urgent demand for new pharmaceutical products. High-throughput in vitro fibrosis models are necessary to develop such drugs. In this study, we developed such a novel model based on synthetic polyisocyanide (PIC-RGD) hydrogels. The model not only measures contraction but also allows for subsequent molecular and cellular analysis. Fibroblasts were seeded in small (10 μL) PIC-RGD gels in the absence or presence of TGFβ1, the latter to induce myofibroblast differentiation. The contraction model clearly differentiates fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Besides a stronger contraction, we also observed α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) production and higher collagen deposition for the latter. The results were supported by mRNA expression experiments of αSMA, Col1α1, P53, and Ki67. As proof of principle, the effects of FDA-approved antifibrotic drugs nintedanib and pirfenidone were tested in our newly developed fibrosis model. Both drugs clearly reduce myofibroblast-induced contraction. Moreover, both drugs significantly decrease myofibroblast viability. Our low-volume synthetic PIC-RGD hydrogel platform is an attractive tool for high-throughput in vitro antifibrotic drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Kumari
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department
of Dentistry - Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 EX Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank A. D. T. G. Wagener
- Department
of Dentistry - Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 EX Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- (F.A.D.T.G.W.)
| | - Paul H. J. Kouwer
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- (P.H.J.K.)
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26
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Zhang Z, Chen W, Tiemessen DM, Oosterwijk E, Kouwer PHJ. A Temperature-Based Easy-Separable (TempEasy) 3D Hydrogel Coculture System. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2102389. [PMID: 35029325 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202102389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Interactions between different cell types are crucial for their behavior in tissues, but are rarely considered in 3D in vitro cell culture experiments. One reason is that such coculture experiments are sometimes difficult to perform in 3D or require specialized equipment or know-how. Here, a new 3D cell coculture system is introduced, TempEasy, which is readily applied in any cell culture lab. The matrix material is based on polyisocyanide hydrogels, which closely resemble the mechanical characteristics of the natural extracellular matrix. Gels with different gelation temperatures, seeded with different cells, are placed on top of each other to form an indirect coculture. Cooling reverses gelation, allowing cell harvesting from each layer separately, which benefits downstream analysis. To demonstrate the potential of TempEasy , human adipose stem cells (hADSCs) with vaginal epithelial fibroblasts are cocultured. The analysis of a 7-day coculture shows that hADSCs promote cell-cell interaction of fibroblasts, while fibroblasts promote proliferation and differentiation of hADSCs. TempEasy provides a straightforward operational platform for indirect cocultures of cells of different lineages in well-defined microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaobao Zhang
- Institute for Molecules and Materials Radboud University Nijmegen Heyendaalseweg 135 Nijmegen 6525 AJ The Netherlands
| | - Wen Chen
- Institute for Molecules and Materials Radboud University Nijmegen Heyendaalseweg 135 Nijmegen 6525 AJ The Netherlands
| | - Dorien M. Tiemessen
- Department of Urology Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences Radboud University Medical Center Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28 Nijmegen 6525 GA The Netherlands
| | - Egbert Oosterwijk
- Department of Urology Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences Radboud University Medical Center Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28 Nijmegen 6525 GA The Netherlands
| | - Paul H. J. Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and Materials Radboud University Nijmegen Heyendaalseweg 135 Nijmegen 6525 AJ The Netherlands
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27
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Tong C, Wondergem JAJ, van den Brink M, Kwakernaak MC, Chen Y, Hendrix MMRM, Voets IK, Danen EHJ, Le Dévédec S, Heinrich D, Kieltyka RE. Spatial and Temporal Modulation of Cell Instructive Cues in a Filamentous Supramolecular Biomaterial. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:17042-17054. [PMID: 35403421 PMCID: PMC9026256 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c24114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Supramolecular materials provide unique opportunities to mimic both the structure and mechanics of the biopolymer networks that compose the extracellular matrix. However, strategies to modify their filamentous structures in space and time in 3D cell culture to study cell behavior as encountered in development and disease are lacking. We herein disclose a multicomponent squaramide-based supramolecular material whose mechanics and bioactivity can be controlled by light through co-assembly of a 1,2-dithiolane (DT) monomer that forms disulfide cross-links. Remarkably, increases in storage modulus from ∼200 Pa to >10 kPa after stepwise photo-cross-linking can be realized without an initiator while retaining colorlessness and clarity. Moreover, viscoelasticity and plasticity of the supramolecular networks decrease upon photo-irradiation, reducing cellular protrusion formation and motility when performed at the onset of cell culture. When applied during 3D cell culture, force-mediated manipulation is impeded and cells move primarily along earlier formed channels in the materials. Additionally, we show photopatterning of peptide cues in 3D using either a photomask or direct laser writing. We demonstrate that these squaramide-based filamentous materials can be applied to the development of synthetic and biomimetic 3D in vitro cell and disease models, where their secondary cross-linking enables mechanical heterogeneity and shaping at multiple length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciqing Tong
- Department
of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of
Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Joeri A. J. Wondergem
- Biological
and Soft Matter Physics, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9504, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marijn van den Brink
- Department
of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of
Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Markus C. Kwakernaak
- Department
of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of
Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ying Chen
- Department
of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of
Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marco M. R. M. Hendrix
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MD Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ilja K. Voets
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MD Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Erik H. J. Danen
- Division
of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvia Le Dévédec
- Division
of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Doris Heinrich
- Biological
and Soft Matter Physics, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9504, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques, Rosenhof 1, 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Faculty for
Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Technische
Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Roxanne E. Kieltyka
- Department
of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of
Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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28
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Liu Y, Lin SH, Chuang WT, Dai NT, Hsu SH. Biomimetic Strain-Stiffening in Chitosan Self-Healing Hydrogels. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:16032-16046. [PMID: 35321544 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The strain-stiffening and self-healing capabilities of biological tissues enable them to preserve the structures and functions from deformation and damage. However, biodegradable hydrogel materials with both of these biomimetic characteristics have not been explored. Here, a series of strain-stiffened, self-healing hydrogels are developed through dynamic imine crosslinking of semiflexible O-carboxymethyl chitosan (main chain) and flexible dibenzaldehyde-terminated telechelic poly(ethylene glycol) (crosslinker). The biomimetic hydrogels can be reversibly stiffened to resist the deformation and can even recover to their original state after repeated damages. The mechanical properties and stiffening responses of the hydrogels are tailored by varying the component contents (1-3%) and the crosslinker length (4 or 8 kDa). A combinatorial system of in situ coherent small-angle X-ray scattering with rheological testing is developed to investigate the network structures (in sizes 1.5-160 nm) of hydrogels under shear strains and reveals that the strain-stiffening originates from the fibrous chitosan network with poly(ethylene glycol) crosslinking fixation. The biomimetic hydrogels with biocompatibility and biodegradability promote wound healing. The study provides an insight into the nanoscale design of biomimetic strain-stiffening self-healing hydrogels for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C
| | - Shih-Ho Lin
- Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C
| | - Wei-Tsung Chuang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu, Taiwan 30076, R.O.C
| | - Niann-Tzyy Dai
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan 11490, R.O.C
| | - Shan-Hui Hsu
- Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan 35053, R.O.C
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29
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Cao Z, Yuan H, Li N, Liu X, Qu X, Xing C. The preparation of biomineralized PIC/HA hybrid composites with strain-stiffening and the effect on MC3T3-E1 cells. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200135. [PMID: 35365902 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The development of biomimetic extracellular matrix (ECM) with fibrous structure and complex nonlinear mechanics has been attracting intensive attention over the past decades both in material science and tissue engineering. Polyisocyanopeptide (PIC) hydrogels are a class of fully synthetic materials that can mimic biogels, such as fibrin and collagen, in nearly all aspects, particularly the micron-sized gel network and the strong strain-stiffening behavior in the biological regime. Here, we constructed a biomimetic PIC/hydroxyapatite (HA) hybrid composite through an enzymatic biomineralization strategy. HA biominerals grew on PIC bundles in situ catalyzed by the embedded alkaline phosphatase (ALP) which further crosslinked the gel networks and reinforced the mechanical property of PIC hydrogels. Significantly, PIC/HA composites exhibited ultra-responsive nonlinear mechanics with higher sensitivity to mechanical stress compared with those without biomineralization. As a consequence, the presence of HA can provide cell adhesion sites for PIC gels and induce osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts by virtue of the changes in mechanical properties. With these outstanding properties, therefore, PIC/HA composites present promising prospects in bone tissue engineering as biomimetic ECM. polyisocyanopeptide hydrogel; strain-stiffening; biomimetic extracellular matrix; biomineralization This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanshuo Cao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Institute of biophysics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, P. R. China.,School of Chemical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, P. R. China
| | - Hongbo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Institute of biophysics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, P. R. China
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Institute of biophysics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoning Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Institute of biophysics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, P. R. China
| | - Xiongwei Qu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Institute of biophysics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, P. R. China.,School of Chemical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, P. R. China
| | - Chengfen Xing
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Institute of biophysics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, P. R. China.,School of Chemical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, P. R. China
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30
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Rommel D, Mork M, Vedaraman S, Bastard C, Guerzoni LPB, Kittel Y, Vinokur R, Born N, Haraszti T, De Laporte L. Functionalized Microgel Rods Interlinked into Soft Macroporous Structures for 3D Cell Culture. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2103554. [PMID: 35032119 PMCID: PMC8981485 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202103554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In this work, a two component microgel assembly using soft anisometric microgels that interlink to create a 3D macroporous construct for cell growth is reported. Reactive microgel rods with variable aspect ratio are produced via microfluidics in a continuous plug-flow on-chip gelation method by photoinitiated free-radical polymerization of star-polyethylene glycol-acrylate with glycidyl methacrylate or 2-aminoethyl methacrylate comonomers. The resulting complementary epoxy- and amine-functionalized microgels assemble and interlink with each other via a ring opening reaction, resulting in macroporous constructs with pores up to several hundreds of micrometers. The level of crosslinking depends on the functionalization degree of the microgels, which also affects the stiffness and cell adhesiveness of the microgels when modified with the cell-adhesive GRGDS-PC peptide. Therefore, 3D spreading and growth of cells inside the macroporous structure is influenced not only by the presence of macropores but also by the mechanical and biochemical properties of the individual microgels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Rommel
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsAachen52074Germany
- Institute for Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityAachen52074Germany
| | - Matthias Mork
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsAachen52074Germany
- Institute for Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityAachen52074Germany
| | - Sitara Vedaraman
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsAachen52074Germany
- Institute for Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityAachen52074Germany
| | - Céline Bastard
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsAachen52074Germany
- Institute for Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityAachen52074Germany
| | - Luis P. B. Guerzoni
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsAachen52074Germany
- Institute for Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityAachen52074Germany
| | - Yonca Kittel
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsAachen52074Germany
- Institute for Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityAachen52074Germany
| | | | | | - Tamás Haraszti
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsAachen52074Germany
- Institute for Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityAachen52074Germany
| | - Laura De Laporte
- DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive MaterialsAachen52074Germany
- Institute for Technical and Macromolecular ChemistryRWTH Aachen UniversityAachen52074Germany
- Institute of Applied Medical EngineeringDepartment of Advanced Materials for BiomedicineRWTH Aachen UniversityAachen52074Germany
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31
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Liu K, Wiendels M, Yuan H, Ruan C, Kouwer PH. Cell-matrix reciprocity in 3D culture models with nonlinear elasticity. Bioact Mater 2022; 9:316-331. [PMID: 34820573 PMCID: PMC8586441 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) matrix models using hydrogels are powerful tools to understand and predict cell behavior. The interactions between the cell and its matrix, however is highly complex: the matrix has a profound effect on basic cell functions but simultaneously, cells are able to actively manipulate the matrix properties. This (mechano)reciprocity between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) is central in regulating tissue functions and it is fundamentally important to broadly consider the biomechanical properties of the in vivo ECM when designing in vitro matrix models. This manuscript discusses two commonly used biopolymer networks, i.e. collagen and fibrin gels, and one synthetic polymer network, polyisocyanide gel (PIC), which all possess the characteristic nonlinear mechanics in the biological stress regime. We start from the structure of the materials, then address the uses, advantages, and limitations of each material, to provide a guideline for tissue engineers and biophysicists in utilizing current materials and also designing new materials for 3D cell culture purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaizheng Liu
- Research Center for Human Tissue and Organs Degeneration, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Maury Wiendels
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hongbo Yuan
- Institute of Biophysics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, PR China
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Changshun Ruan
- Research Center for Human Tissue and Organs Degeneration, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Paul H.J. Kouwer
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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32
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Tiemeijer BM, Sweep MWD, Sleeboom JJF, Steps KJ, van Sprang JF, De Almeida P, Hammink R, Kouwer PHJ, Smits AIPM, Tel J. Probing Single-Cell Macrophage Polarization and Heterogeneity Using Thermo-Reversible Hydrogels in Droplet-Based Microfluidics. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:715408. [PMID: 34722475 PMCID: PMC8552120 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.715408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human immune cells intrinsically exist as heterogenous populations. To understand cellular heterogeneity, both cell culture and analysis should be executed with single-cell resolution to eliminate juxtacrine and paracrine interactions, as these can lead to a homogenized cell response, obscuring unique cellular behavior. Droplet microfluidics has emerged as a potent tool to culture and stimulate single cells at high throughput. However, when studying adherent cells at single-cell level, it is imperative to provide a substrate for the cells to adhere to, as suspension culture conditions can negatively affect biological function and behavior. Therefore, we combined a droplet-based microfluidic platform with a thermo-reversible polyisocyanide (PIC) hydrogel, which allowed for robust droplet formation at low temperatures, whilst ensuring catalyzer-free droplet gelation and easy cell recovery after culture for downstream analysis. With this approach, we probed the heterogeneity of highly adherent human macrophages under both pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 polarization conditions. We showed that co-encapsulation of multiple cells enhanced cell polarization compared to single cells, indicating that cellular communication is a potent driver of macrophage polarization. Additionally, we highlight that culturing single macrophages in PIC hydrogel droplets displayed higher cell viability and enhanced M2 polarization compared to single macrophages cultured in suspension. Remarkably, combining phenotypical and functional analysis on single cultured macrophages revealed a subset of cells in a persistent M1 state, which were undetectable in conventional bulk cultures. Taken together, combining droplet-based microfluidics with hydrogels is a versatile and powerful tool to study the biological function of adherent cell types at single-cell resolution with high throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. M. Tiemeijer
- Laboratory of Immunoengineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - M. W. D. Sweep
- Laboratory of Immunoengineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - J. J. F. Sleeboom
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Microsystems, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Laboratory of Soft Tissue Engineering and Biomechanics, Department Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - K. J. Steps
- Laboratory of Immunoengineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - J. F. van Sprang
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Laboratory of Soft Tissue Engineering and Biomechanics, Department Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - P. De Almeida
- Department of System Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - R. Hammink
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - P. H. J. Kouwer
- Department of System Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - A. I. P. M. Smits
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Laboratory of Soft Tissue Engineering and Biomechanics, Department Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - J. Tel
- Laboratory of Immunoengineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
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33
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Hanson BS, Dougan L. Intermediate Structural Hierarchy in Biological Networks Modulates the Fractal Dimension and Force Distribution of Percolating Clusters. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:4191-4198. [PMID: 34420304 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Globular protein hydrogels are an emerging class of materials with the potential for rational design, and a generalized understanding of how their network properties emerge from the structure and dynamics of the building block is a key challenge. Here we computationally investigate the effect of intermediate (polymeric) nanoscale structure on the formation of protein hydrogels. We show that changes in both the cross-link topology and flexibility of the polymeric building block lead to changes in the force transmission around the system and provide insight into the dynamic network formation processes. The preassembled intermediate structure provides a novel structural coordinate for the hierarchical modulation of macroscopic network properties, as well as furthering our understanding of the general dynamics of network formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S Hanson
- Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Lorna Dougan
- Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.,Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
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34
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Chen W, Zhang Y, Kumari J, Engelkamp H, Kouwer PHJ. Magnetic Stiffening in 3D Cell Culture Matrices. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:6740-6747. [PMID: 34387494 PMCID: PMC8392345 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical environment of a cell is not constant. This dynamic behavior is exceedingly difficult to capture in (synthetic) in vitro matrices. This paper describes a novel, highly adaptive hybrid hydrogel composed of magnetically sensitive magnetite nanorods and a stress-responsive synthetic matrix. Nanorod rearrangement after application of (small) magnetic fields induces strain in the network, which results in a strong (over 10-fold) stiffening even at minimal (2.5 wt %) nanorod concentrations. Moreover, the stiffening mechanism yields a fast and fully reversible response. In the manuscript, we quantitatively analyze that forces generated by the particles are comparable to cellular forces. We demonstrate the value of magnetic stiffening in a 3D MCF10A epithelial cell experiment, where simply culturing on top of a permanent magnet gives rise to changes in the cell morphology. This work shows that our hydrogels are uniquely suited as 3D cell culture systems with on-demand adaptive mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Chen
- Radboud
University, Institute for Molecules
and Materials, Heyendaalseweg
135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ying Zhang
- Radboud
University, Institute for Molecules
and Materials, Heyendaalseweg
135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jyoti Kumari
- Radboud
University, Institute for Molecules
and Materials, Heyendaalseweg
135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Engelkamp
- Radboud
University, Institute for Molecules
and Materials, Heyendaalseweg
135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud
University, High Field Magnet
Laboratory (HFML-EMFL), Toernooiveld 7, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H. J. Kouwer
- Radboud
University, Institute for Molecules
and Materials, Heyendaalseweg
135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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35
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Gibler P, Gimble J, Hamel K, Rogers E, Henderson M, Wu X, Olesky S, Frazier T. Human Adipose-Derived Stromal/Stem Cell Culture and Analysis Methods for Adipose Tissue Modeling In Vitro: A Systematic Review. Cells 2021; 10:1378. [PMID: 34204869 PMCID: PMC8227575 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (hASC) are widely used for in vitro modeling of physiologically relevant human adipose tissue. These models are useful for the development of tissue constructs for soft tissue regeneration and 3-dimensional (3D) microphysiological systems (MPS) for drug discovery. In this systematic review, we report on the current state of hASC culture and assessment methods for adipose tissue engineering using 3D MPS. Our search efforts resulted in the identification of 184 independent records, of which 27 were determined to be most relevant to the goals of the present review. Our results demonstrate a lack of consensus on methods for hASC culture and assessment for the production of physiologically relevant in vitro models of human adipose tissue. Few studies have assessed the impact of different 3D culture conditions on hASC adipogenesis. Additionally, there has been a limited use of assays for characterizing the functionality of adipose tissue in vitro. Results from this study suggest the need for more standardized culture methods and further analysis on in vitro tissue functionality. These will be necessary to validate the utility of 3D MPS as an in vitro model to reduce, refine, and replace in vivo experiments in the drug discovery regulatory process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyton Gibler
- Obatala Sciences Inc., New Orleans, LA 70148, USA; (P.G.); (K.H.); (E.R.); (M.H.); (X.W.); (S.O.); (T.F.)
| | - Jeffrey Gimble
- Obatala Sciences Inc., New Orleans, LA 70148, USA; (P.G.); (K.H.); (E.R.); (M.H.); (X.W.); (S.O.); (T.F.)
- Department of Structural and Cell Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Katie Hamel
- Obatala Sciences Inc., New Orleans, LA 70148, USA; (P.G.); (K.H.); (E.R.); (M.H.); (X.W.); (S.O.); (T.F.)
| | - Emma Rogers
- Obatala Sciences Inc., New Orleans, LA 70148, USA; (P.G.); (K.H.); (E.R.); (M.H.); (X.W.); (S.O.); (T.F.)
| | - Michael Henderson
- Obatala Sciences Inc., New Orleans, LA 70148, USA; (P.G.); (K.H.); (E.R.); (M.H.); (X.W.); (S.O.); (T.F.)
| | - Xiying Wu
- Obatala Sciences Inc., New Orleans, LA 70148, USA; (P.G.); (K.H.); (E.R.); (M.H.); (X.W.); (S.O.); (T.F.)
| | - Spencer Olesky
- Obatala Sciences Inc., New Orleans, LA 70148, USA; (P.G.); (K.H.); (E.R.); (M.H.); (X.W.); (S.O.); (T.F.)
| | - Trivia Frazier
- Obatala Sciences Inc., New Orleans, LA 70148, USA; (P.G.); (K.H.); (E.R.); (M.H.); (X.W.); (S.O.); (T.F.)
- Department of Structural and Cell Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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36
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Babu S, Albertino F, Omidinia Anarkoli A, De Laporte L. Controlling Structure with Injectable Biomaterials to Better Mimic Tissue Heterogeneity and Anisotropy. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2002221. [PMID: 33951341 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202002221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Tissue regeneration of sensitive tissues calls for injectable scaffolds, which are minimally invasive and offer minimal damage to the native tissues. However, most of these systems are inherently isotropic and do not mimic the complex hierarchically ordered nature of the native extracellular matrices. This review focuses on the different approaches developed in the past decade to bring in some form of anisotropy to the conventional injectable tissue regenerative matrices. These approaches include introduction of macroporosity, in vivo pattering to present biomolecules in a spatially and temporally controlled manner, availability of aligned domains by means of self-assembly or oriented injectable components, and in vivo bioprinting to obtain structures with features of high resolution that resembles native tissues. Toward the end of the review, different techniques to produce building blocks for the fabrication of heterogeneous injectable scaffolds are discussed. The advantages and shortcomings of each approach are discussed in detail with ideas to improve the functionality and versatility of the building blocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Babu
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC) Polymeric Biomaterials RWTH University Aachen Worringerweg 2 Aachen 52074 Germany
- DWI‐Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials Forckenbeckstrasse 50 Aachen 52074 Germany
- Max Planck School‐Matter to Life (MtL) Jahnstrasse 29 Heidelberg 69120 Germany
| | - Filippo Albertino
- DWI‐Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials Forckenbeckstrasse 50 Aachen 52074 Germany
| | | | - Laura De Laporte
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC) Polymeric Biomaterials RWTH University Aachen Worringerweg 2 Aachen 52074 Germany
- DWI‐Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials Forckenbeckstrasse 50 Aachen 52074 Germany
- Max Planck School‐Matter to Life (MtL) Jahnstrasse 29 Heidelberg 69120 Germany
- Advanced Materials for Biomedicine (AMB) Institute of Applied Medical Engineering (AME) Center for Biohybrid Medical Systems (CMBS) University Hospital RWTH Aachen Forckenbeckstrasse 55 Aachen 52074 Germany
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37
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Designing Hydrogel-Based Bone-On-Chips for Personalized Medicine. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11104495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The recent development of bone-on-chips (BOCs) holds the main advantage of requiring a low quantity of cells and material, compared to traditional In Vitro models. By incorporating hydrogels within BOCs, the culture system moved to a three dimensional culture environment for cells which is more representative of bone tissue matrix and function. The fundamental components of hydrogel-based BOCs, namely the cellular sources, the hydrogel and the culture chamber, have been tuned to mimic the hematopoietic niche in the bone aspirate marrow, cancer bone metastasis and osteo/chondrogenic differentiation. In this review, we examine the entire process of developing hydrogel-based BOCs to model In Vitro a patient specific situation. First, we provide bone biological understanding for BOCs design and then how hydrogel structural and mechanical properties can be tuned to meet those requirements. This is followed by a review on hydrogel-based BOCs, developed in the last 10 years, in terms of culture chamber design, hydrogel and cell source used. Finally, we provide guidelines for the definition of personalized pathological and physiological bone microenvironments. This review covers the information on bone, hydrogel and BOC that are required to develop personalized therapies for bone disease, by recreating clinically relevant scenarii in miniaturized devices.
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38
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Dey K, Roca E, Ramorino G, Sartore L. Progress in the mechanical modulation of cell functions in tissue engineering. Biomater Sci 2021; 8:7033-7081. [PMID: 33150878 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01255f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, mechanics at multiple stages-nucleus to cell to ECM-underlie multiple physiological and pathological functions from its development to reproduction to death. Under this inspiration, substantial research has established the role of multiple aspects of mechanics in regulating fundamental cellular processes, including spreading, migration, growth, proliferation, and differentiation. However, our understanding of how these mechanical mechanisms are orchestrated or tuned at different stages to maintain or restore the healthy environment at the tissue or organ level remains largely a mystery. Over the past few decades, research in the mechanical manipulation of the surrounding environment-known as substrate or matrix or scaffold on which, or within which, cells are seeded-has been exceptionally enriched in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. To do so, traditional tissue engineering aims at recapitulating key mechanical milestones of native ECM into a substrate for guiding the cell fate and functions towards specific tissue regeneration. Despite tremendous progress, a big puzzle that remains is how the cells compute a host of mechanical cues, such as stiffness (elasticity), viscoelasticity, plasticity, non-linear elasticity, anisotropy, mechanical forces, and mechanical memory, into many biological functions in a cooperative, controlled, and safe manner. High throughput understanding of key cellular decisions as well as associated mechanosensitive downstream signaling pathway(s) for executing these decisions in response to mechanical cues, solo or combined, is essential to address this issue. While many reports have been made towards the progress and understanding of mechanical cues-particularly, substrate bulk stiffness and viscoelasticity-in regulating the cellular responses, a complete picture of mechanical cues is lacking. This review highlights a comprehensive view on the mechanical cues that are linked to modulate many cellular functions and consequent tissue functionality. For a very basic understanding, a brief discussion of the key mechanical players of ECM and the principle of mechanotransduction process is outlined. In addition, this review gathers together the most important data on the stiffness of various cells and ECM components as well as various tissues/organs and proposes an associated link from the mechanical perspective that is not yet reported. Finally, beyond addressing the challenges involved in tuning the interplaying mechanical cues in an independent manner, emerging advances in designing biomaterials for tissue engineering are also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamol Dey
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh
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39
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Realizing tissue integration with supramolecular hydrogels. Acta Biomater 2021; 124:1-14. [PMID: 33508507 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Biomaterial matrices must permit tissue growth and maturation for the success of tissue regeneration strategies. Naturally, this accommodation is achieved via the dynamic remodeling of a cell's extracellular matrix (ECM). Synthetically, hydrolytic or enzymatic degradation are often engineered into materials for this purpose. More recently, supramolecular interactions have been used to provide a biomimetic and tunable mechanism to facilitate tissue formation via their dynamic and reversible non-covalent interactions. By engineering the mechanical and bioactive properties of a material, supramolecular chemists are able to design permissivity into the construct and facilitate tissue integration in-vivo. Furthermore, via the reversibility of non-covalent interactions, injectability and responsiveness can be designed for enhanced delivery and spatio-temporal control. In this review, we delineate the basic considerations needed when designing permissive supramolecular hydrogels for tissue engineering with an eye toward tissue growth and integration. We highlight three archetypal hydrogel systems that have shown well-documented tissue integration in vivo, and provide avenues to assess tissue in-growth. Careful design and assessment of the biomedical potential of a supramolecular hydrogels can inspire the creation of robust and dynamic implants for new tissue engineering applications.
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40
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Ludwanowski S, Skarsetz O, Creusen G, Hoenders D, Straub P, Walther A. Wavelength-Gated Adaptation of Hydrogel Properties via Photo-Dynamic Multivalency in Associative Star Polymers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:4358-4367. [PMID: 33180989 PMCID: PMC7898538 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202011592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Responsive materials, such as switchable hydrogels, have been largely engineered for maximum changes between two states. In contrast, adaptive systems target distinct functional plateaus between these maxima. Here, we demonstrate how the photostationary state (PSS) of an E/Z-arylazopyrazole photoswitch can be tuned by the incident wavelength across a wide color spectrum, and how this behavior can be exploited to engineer the photo-dynamic mechanical properties of hydrogels based on multivalent photoswitchable interactions. We show that these hydrogels adapt to the wavelength-dependent PSS and the number of arylazopyrazole units by programmable relationships. Hence, our material design enables the facile adjustment of the mechanical properties without laborious synthetic efforts. The concept goes beyond the classical switching from state A to B, and demonstrates pathways for a truly wavelength-gated adaptation of hydrogel properties potentially useful to engineer cell fate or in soft robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Ludwanowski
- ABMS Lab—Active, Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired MaterialsInstitute for Macromolecular ChemistryUniversity of FreiburgStefan-Meier-Straße 3179104FreiburgGermany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF)University of FreiburgStefan-Meier-Straße 2179104FreiburgGermany
- Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT)University of FreiburgGeorges-Köhler-Allee 10579110FreiburgGermany
| | - Oliver Skarsetz
- ABMS Lab—Active, Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired MaterialsInstitute for Macromolecular ChemistryUniversity of FreiburgStefan-Meier-Straße 3179104FreiburgGermany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF)University of FreiburgStefan-Meier-Straße 2179104FreiburgGermany
- Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT)University of FreiburgGeorges-Köhler-Allee 10579110FreiburgGermany
| | - Guido Creusen
- ABMS Lab—Active, Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired MaterialsInstitute for Macromolecular ChemistryUniversity of FreiburgStefan-Meier-Straße 3179104FreiburgGermany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF)University of FreiburgStefan-Meier-Straße 2179104FreiburgGermany
- Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT)University of FreiburgGeorges-Köhler-Allee 10579110FreiburgGermany
| | - Daniel Hoenders
- ABMS Lab—Active, Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired MaterialsInstitute for Macromolecular ChemistryUniversity of FreiburgStefan-Meier-Straße 3179104FreiburgGermany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF)University of FreiburgStefan-Meier-Straße 2179104FreiburgGermany
- Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT)University of FreiburgGeorges-Köhler-Allee 10579110FreiburgGermany
- ABMS Lab—Active, Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired MaterialsDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of MainzDuesbergweg 10–1455128MainzGermany
| | - Paula Straub
- ABMS Lab—Active, Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired MaterialsInstitute for Macromolecular ChemistryUniversity of FreiburgStefan-Meier-Straße 3179104FreiburgGermany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF)University of FreiburgStefan-Meier-Straße 2179104FreiburgGermany
- Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT)University of FreiburgGeorges-Köhler-Allee 10579110FreiburgGermany
- Cluster of Excellence livMatS @ FIT—Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired TechnologiesUniversity of FreiburgGeorges-Köhler-Allee 10579110FreiburgGermany
| | - Andreas Walther
- ABMS Lab—Active, Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired MaterialsInstitute for Macromolecular ChemistryUniversity of FreiburgStefan-Meier-Straße 3179104FreiburgGermany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF)University of FreiburgStefan-Meier-Straße 2179104FreiburgGermany
- Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT)University of FreiburgGeorges-Köhler-Allee 10579110FreiburgGermany
- Cluster of Excellence livMatS @ FIT—Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired TechnologiesUniversity of FreiburgGeorges-Köhler-Allee 10579110FreiburgGermany
- ABMS Lab—Active, Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired MaterialsDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of MainzDuesbergweg 10–1455128MainzGermany
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41
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Zhang Z, Tang C, Hammink R, Nelissen FHT, Heus HA, Kouwer PHJ. Multivalent Sgc8c-aptamer decorated polymer scaffolds for leukemia targeting. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:2744-2747. [PMID: 33595548 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc08205h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia causes a disproportional amount of immature white blood cells in the patients' bone marrow. The significant undesired side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy treatment prompted us to study a more effective treatment strategy. We decorated polyisocyanopeptide scaffolds with the selective leukemia cell binding aptamer sgc8c and found that the polymers inhibit proliferation by G0/G1-phase arrest, serving as an opportunity for future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaobao Zhang
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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42
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Alisafaei F, Chen X, Leahy T, Janmey PA, Shenoy VB. Long-range mechanical signaling in biological systems. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:241-253. [PMID: 33136113 PMCID: PMC8385661 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01442g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cells can respond to signals generated by other cells that are remarkably far away. Studies from at least the 1920's showed that cells move toward each other when the distance between them is on the order of a millimeter, which is many times the cell diameter. Chemical signals generated by molecules diffusing from the cell surface would move too slowly and dissipate too fast to account for these effects, suggesting that they might be physical rather than biochemical. The non-linear elastic responses of sparsely connected networks of stiff or semiflexible filament such as those that form the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the cytoskeleton have unusual properties that suggest multiple mechanisms for long-range signaling in biological tissues. These include not only direct force transmission, but also highly non-uniform local deformations, and force-generated changes in fiber alignment and density. Defining how fibrous networks respond to cell-generated forces can help design new methods to characterize abnormal tissues and can guide development of improved biomimetic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farid Alisafaei
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Xingyu Chen
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Thomas Leahy
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. and Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA and McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Paul A Janmey
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. and Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA and Departments of Physiology, and Physics & Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Vivek B Shenoy
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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43
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Zhang Y, Zegers MMP, Nagelkerke A, Rowan AE, Span PN, Kouwer PHJ. Tunable Hybrid Matrices Drive Epithelial Morphogenesis and YAP Translocation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2003380. [PMID: 33511022 PMCID: PMC7816720 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202003380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Morphogenesis is a tightly-regulated developmental process by which tissues acquire the morphology that is critical to their function. For example, epithelial cells exhibit different 2D and 3D morphologies, induced by distinct biochemical and biophysical cues from their environment. In this work, novel hybrid matrices composed of a Matrigel and synthetic oligo(ethylene glycol)-grafted polyisocyanides (PICs) hydrogels are used to form a highly tailorable environment. Through precise control of the stiffness and cell-matrix interactions, while keeping other properties constant, a broad range of morphologies induced in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells is observed. At relatively low matrix stiffness, a large morphological shift from round hollow cysts to 2D monolayers is observed, without concomitant translocation of the mechanotransduction protein Yes-associated protein (YAP). At higher stiffness levels and enhanced cell-matrix interactions, tuned by controlling the adhesive peptide density on PIC, the hybrid hydrogels induce a flattened cell morphology with simultaneous YAP translocation, suggesting activation. In 3D cultures, the latter matrices lead to the formation of tubular structures. Thus, mixed synthetic and natural gels, such as the hybrids presented here, are ideal platforms to dissect how external physical factors can be used to regulate morphogenesis in MDCK model system, and in the future, in more complex environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Institute for Molecules and MaterialsRadboud UniversityHeyendaalseweg 135Nijmegen6525 AJThe Netherlands
- Radiotherapy and OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation OncologyRadboud University Medical CenterGeert Grooteplein 32Nijmegen6525 GAThe Netherlands
| | - Mirjam M. P. Zegers
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterGeert Grooteplein 28Nijmegen6525 GAThe Netherlands
| | - Anika Nagelkerke
- Radiotherapy and OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation OncologyRadboud University Medical CenterGeert Grooteplein 32Nijmegen6525 GAThe Netherlands
- Present address:
Pharmaceutical Analysis, Groningen Research Institute of PharmacyUniversity of GroningenP.O. Box 196, XB20Groningen9700 ADThe Netherlands
| | - Alan E. Rowan
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)The University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLD4072Australia
| | - Paul N. Span
- Radiotherapy and OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation OncologyRadboud University Medical CenterGeert Grooteplein 32Nijmegen6525 GAThe Netherlands
| | - Paul H. J. Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and MaterialsRadboud UniversityHeyendaalseweg 135Nijmegen6525 AJThe Netherlands
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44
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Gerrits L, Hammink R, Kouwer PHJ. Semiflexible polymer scaffolds: an overview of conjugation strategies. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0py01662d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Semiflexible polymers are excellent scaffolds for the presentation of a wide variety of (bio)molecules. This manuscript reviews advantages and challenges of the most common conjugation strategies for the major classes of semiflexible polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte Gerrits
- Institute for Molecules and Materials
- Radboud University
- 6525 AJ Nijmegen
- The Netherlands
| | - Roel Hammink
- Department of Tumor Immunology
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences
- Radboud University Medical Center
- 6525 GA Nijmegen
- The Netherlands
| | - Paul H. J. Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and Materials
- Radboud University
- 6525 AJ Nijmegen
- The Netherlands
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45
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Duarte Campos DF, De Laporte L. Digitally Fabricated and Naturally Augmented In Vitro Tissues. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001253. [PMID: 33191651 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Human in vitro tissues are extracorporeal 3D cultures of human cells embedded in biomaterials, commonly hydrogels, which recapitulate the heterogeneous, multiscale, and architectural environment of the human body. Contemporary strategies used in 3D tissue and organ engineering integrate the use of automated digital manufacturing methods, such as 3D printing, bioprinting, and biofabrication. Human tissues and organs, and their intra- and interphysiological interplay, are particularly intricate. For this reason, attentiveness is rising to intersect materials science, medicine, and biology with arts and informatics. This report presents advances in computational modeling of bioink polymerization and its compatibility with bioprinting, the use of digital design and fabrication in the development of fluidic culture devices, and the employment of generative algorithms for modeling the natural and biological augmentation of in vitro tissues. As a future direction, the use of serially linked in vitro tissues as human body-mimicking systems and their application in drug pharmacokinetics and metabolism, disease modeling, and diagnostics are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela F. Duarte Campos
- Department of Advanced Materials for Biomedicine Institute of Applied Medical Engineering RWTH Aachen University Aachen 52074 Germany
| | - Laura De Laporte
- Department of Advanced Materials for Biomedicine Institute of Applied Medical Engineering RWTH Aachen University Aachen 52074 Germany
- DWI—Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials Aachen 52074 Germany
- Department of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry RWTH Aachen University Aachen 52074 Germany
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46
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Ludwanowski S, Skarsetz O, Creusen G, Hoenders D, Straub P, Walther A. Wellenlängengesteuerte Adaption der Hydrogeleigenschaften durch Photodynamische Multivalenz in Assoziierenden Sternpolymeren. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202011592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Ludwanowski
- A3BMS Lab – Aktive, Adaptive and Autonome Bioinspirierte Materialen Institut für Makromolekulare Chemie Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Straße 31 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
- Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum (FMF) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Straße 21 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
- Freiburger Zentrum für interaktive Werkstoffe und bioinspirierte Technologien (FIT) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Georges-Köhler-Allee 105 79110 Freiburg Deutschland
| | - Oliver Skarsetz
- A3BMS Lab – Aktive, Adaptive and Autonome Bioinspirierte Materialen Institut für Makromolekulare Chemie Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Straße 31 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
- Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum (FMF) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Straße 21 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
- Freiburger Zentrum für interaktive Werkstoffe und bioinspirierte Technologien (FIT) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Georges-Köhler-Allee 105 79110 Freiburg Deutschland
| | - Guido Creusen
- A3BMS Lab – Aktive, Adaptive and Autonome Bioinspirierte Materialen Institut für Makromolekulare Chemie Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Straße 31 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
- Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum (FMF) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Straße 21 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
- Freiburger Zentrum für interaktive Werkstoffe und bioinspirierte Technologien (FIT) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Georges-Köhler-Allee 105 79110 Freiburg Deutschland
| | - Daniel Hoenders
- A3BMS Lab – Aktive, Adaptive and Autonome Bioinspirierte Materialen Institut für Makromolekulare Chemie Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Straße 31 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
- Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum (FMF) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Straße 21 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
- Freiburger Zentrum für interaktive Werkstoffe und bioinspirierte Technologien (FIT) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Georges-Köhler-Allee 105 79110 Freiburg Deutschland
- A3BMS Lab – Aktive, Adaptive und Autonome Bioinspirierte Materialen Fachbereich Chemie Universität Mainz Duesbergweg 10–14 55128 Mainz Deutschland
| | - Paula Straub
- A3BMS Lab – Aktive, Adaptive and Autonome Bioinspirierte Materialen Institut für Makromolekulare Chemie Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Straße 31 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
- Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum (FMF) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Straße 21 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
- Freiburger Zentrum für interaktive Werkstoffe und bioinspirierte Technologien (FIT) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Georges-Köhler-Allee 105 79110 Freiburg Deutschland
- Exzellenz-Cluster livMatS @ FIT – Freiburger Zentrum für interaktive Werkstoffe und bioinspirierte Technologien Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Georges-Köhler-Allee 105 79110 Freiburg Deutschland
| | - Andreas Walther
- A3BMS Lab – Aktive, Adaptive and Autonome Bioinspirierte Materialen Institut für Makromolekulare Chemie Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Straße 31 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
- Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum (FMF) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Straße 21 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
- Freiburger Zentrum für interaktive Werkstoffe und bioinspirierte Technologien (FIT) Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Georges-Köhler-Allee 105 79110 Freiburg Deutschland
- Exzellenz-Cluster livMatS @ FIT – Freiburger Zentrum für interaktive Werkstoffe und bioinspirierte Technologien Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Georges-Köhler-Allee 105 79110 Freiburg Deutschland
- A3BMS Lab – Aktive, Adaptive und Autonome Bioinspirierte Materialen Fachbereich Chemie Universität Mainz Duesbergweg 10–14 55128 Mainz Deutschland
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47
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Liu K, Veenendaal T, Wiendels M, Ruiz-Zapata AM, van Laar J, Kyranas R, Enting H, van Cranenbroek B, Koenen HJPM, Mihaila SM, Oosterwijk E, Kouwer PHJ. Synthetic Extracellular Matrices as a Toolbox to Tune Stem Cell Secretome. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:56723-56730. [PMID: 33305561 PMCID: PMC7760093 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c16208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The application of stem cell-derived secretome in regenerative therapies offers the key advantage that instead of the stem cells, only their effective paracrine compounds are in vivo delivered. Ideally, the secretome can be steered by the culture conditions of the stem cells. So far, most studies use stem cells cultured on stiff plastic substrates, not representative of their native 3D environment. In this study, cells are cultured inside synthetic polyisocyanide (PIC)-based hydrogels, which are minimal, tailorable, and highly reproducible biomimetic matrices. Secretome analysis of human adipose-derived stem cells (multiplex, ELISA) displays that matrix manipulation is a powerful tool to direct the secretome composition. As an example, cells in nonadherent PIC gels secrete increased levels of IL-10 and the conditioned media from 3D culture accelerate wound closure. In all, our PIC-based approach opens the door to dedicated matrix design to engineer the secretome for custom applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaizheng Liu
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tomas Veenendaal
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maury Wiendels
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandra M. Ruiz-Zapata
- Radboud
Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Justin van Laar
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rafail Kyranas
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hilde Enting
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bram van Cranenbroek
- Lab
Medical Immunology, Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans J. P. M. Koenen
- Lab
Medical Immunology, Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Silvia M. Mihaila
- Utrecht
Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, 3854 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Egbert Oosterwijk
- Radboud
Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Urology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 26-28, P.O.
Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H. J. Kouwer
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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48
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Van Zundert I, Fortuni B, Rocha S. From 2D to 3D Cancer Cell Models-The Enigmas of Drug Delivery Research. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E2236. [PMID: 33187231 PMCID: PMC7696259 DOI: 10.3390/nano10112236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decades, research has made impressive breakthroughs towards drug delivery systems, resulting in a wide range of multifunctional engineered nanoparticles with biomedical applications such as cancer therapy. Despite these significant advances, well-designed nanoparticles rarely reach the clinical stage. Promising results obtained in standard 2D cell culture systems often turn into disappointing outcomes in in vivo models. Although the overall majority of in vitro nanoparticle research is still performed on 2D monolayer cultures, more and more researchers started acknowledging the importance of using 3D cell culture systems, as better models for mimicking the in vivo tumor physiology. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the 3D cancer cell models currently available. We highlight their potential as a platform for drug delivery studies and pinpoint the challenges associated with their use. We discuss in which way each 3D model mimics the in vivo tumor physiology, how they can or have been used in nanomedicine research and to what extent the results obtained so far affect the progress of nanomedicine development. It is of note that the global scientific output associated with 3D models is limited, showing that the use of these systems in nanomedicine investigation is still highly challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beatrice Fortuni
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium;
| | - Susana Rocha
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium;
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49
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Zhang Y, Tang C, Span PN, Rowan AE, Aalders TW, Schalken JA, Adema GJ, Kouwer PHJ, Zegers MMP, Ansems M. Polyisocyanide Hydrogels as a Tunable Platform for Mammary Gland Organoid Formation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2001797. [PMID: 32999851 PMCID: PMC7509700 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202001797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, organoid technology has developed as a primary research tool in basic biological and clinical research. The reliance on poorly defined animal-derived extracellular matrix, however, severely limits its application in regenerative and translational medicine. Here, a well-defined, synthetic biomimetic matrix based on polyisocyanide (PIC) hydrogels that support efficient and reproducible formation of mammary gland organoids (MGOs) in vitro is presented. Only decorated with the adhesive peptide RGD for cell binding, PIC hydrogels allow MGO formation from mammary fragments or from purified single mammary epithelial cells. The cystic organoids maintain their capacity to branch for over two months, which is a fundamental and complex feature during mammary gland development. It is found that small variations in the 3D matrix give rise to large changes in the MGO: the ratio of the main cell types in the MGO is controlled by the cell-gel interactions via the cell binding peptide density, whereas gel stiffness controls colony formation efficiency, which is indicative of the progenitor density. Simple hydrogel modifications will allow for future introduction and customization of new biophysical and biochemical parameters, making the PIC platform an ideal matrix for in depth studies into organ development and for application in disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Institute for Molecules and MaterialsRadboud UniversityHeyendaalseweg 135NijmegenAJ 6525The Netherlands
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology LaboratoryRadboud University Medical CenterGeert Grooteplein 32NijmegenGA6525The Netherlands
| | - Chunling Tang
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology LaboratoryRadboud University Medical CenterGeert Grooteplein 32NijmegenGA6525The Netherlands
| | - Paul N. Span
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology LaboratoryRadboud University Medical CenterGeert Grooteplein 32NijmegenGA6525The Netherlands
| | - Alan E. Rowan
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)The University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLD4072Australia
| | - Tilly W. Aalders
- Experimental UrologyRadboud University Medical CenterGeert Grooteplein 32NijmegenGA6525The Netherlands
| | - Jack A. Schalken
- Experimental UrologyRadboud University Medical CenterGeert Grooteplein 32NijmegenGA6525The Netherlands
| | - Gosse J. Adema
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology LaboratoryRadboud University Medical CenterGeert Grooteplein 32NijmegenGA6525The Netherlands
| | - Paul H. J. Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and MaterialsRadboud UniversityHeyendaalseweg 135NijmegenAJ 6525The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam M. P. Zegers
- Department of Cell BiologyRadboud Institute for Molecular SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterGeert Grooteplein 28NijmegenGA6525The Netherlands
| | - Marleen Ansems
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology LaboratoryRadboud University Medical CenterGeert Grooteplein 32NijmegenGA6525The Netherlands
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50
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Effects of extracellular matrix viscoelasticity on cellular behaviour. Nature 2020; 584:535-546. [PMID: 32848221 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2612-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 833] [Impact Index Per Article: 208.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Substantial research over the past two decades has established that extracellular matrix (ECM) elasticity, or stiffness, affects fundamental cellular processes, including spreading, growth, proliferation, migration, differentiation and organoid formation. Linearly elastic polyacrylamide hydrogels and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers coated with ECM proteins are widely used to assess the role of stiffness, and results from such experiments are often assumed to reproduce the effect of the mechanical environment experienced by cells in vivo. However, tissues and ECMs are not linearly elastic materials-they exhibit far more complex mechanical behaviours, including viscoelasticity (a time-dependent response to loading or deformation), as well as mechanical plasticity and nonlinear elasticity. Here we review the complex mechanical behaviours of tissues and ECMs, discuss the effect of ECM viscoelasticity on cells, and describe the potential use of viscoelastic biomaterials in regenerative medicine. Recent work has revealed that matrix viscoelasticity regulates these same fundamental cell processes, and can promote behaviours that are not observed with elastic hydrogels in both two- and three-dimensional culture microenvironments. These findings have provided insights into cell-matrix interactions and how these interactions differentially modulate mechano-sensitive molecular pathways in cells. Moreover, these results suggest design guidelines for the next generation of biomaterials, with the goal of matching tissue and ECM mechanics for in vitro tissue models and applications in regenerative medicine.
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